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KOTA KINABALU – The Health Ministry is looking to ensure the smooth progress of 12 sick projects involving the construction and upgrading of hospitals and clinics nationwide.
Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa said that out of the 12 projects under her ministry, three are in Sabah.
She said Papar Hospital’s progress is delayed by 11.7% or 89 days, followed by Beaufort Hospital (delayed by 46% or 553 days), and Sikuati Health Clinic Kudat (delayed by 37% or 271 days).
Speaking about the upgrading of Papar Hospital, Dr Zaliha said the hospital is expected to be completed by the end of this year and will benefit over 100,000 Papar residents.
“We have awarded this project in 2017, but the contractors and Public Works Department faced several obstacles in completing the project in time…the works stopped due to the pandemic, and there were problems with lack of workers and materials.
“However, the upgrading works of the hospital are now 62% completed, and we saw progress.
“We will continue to discuss with parties involved, the Public Works Department, and the contractors to ensure that this project will progress smoothly,” she said.
Dr Zaliha said this when met by reporters after her working visit to the Papar Hospital construction site, today.
She said that the project is proof that the government is committed to increasing the quality of healthcare service in Sabah.
The new upgrading project, which cost RM98.5 million, involves the increase of hospital beds in the paediatric ward, women’s ward, and men’s ward, as well as other medical equipment such as X-ray, satellite pharmacy, and upgrading of the emergency and trauma unit, surgical hall, among others.
The overall capacity of the hospital will increase by 161 beds once completed.
Also present during her visit was Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs and Special Duties) Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali. – The Vibes, April 8, 2023
